Edge protector assembly

ABSTRACT

An edge protector in which the edge protector is configured to encircle an edge of an electro-deposition cathode. The edge protector has an internal channel, and, in the preferred embodiment, a pair of lips which engage opposing faces of the cathode. In the preferred embodiment, the internal channel is shaped so that the portion of the internal channel closest to or proximate to the lips has a width substantially greater than a width of said cathode and which tapers so that the other side of the channel approximates the width of the cathode. A key is provided which is secured to the cathode and which is configured to substantially fill a void between the cathode and walls of the internal channel. In the preferred embodiment, the edge protector further includes an externally accessible slot into which an expansion pin is inserted to force the edge protector to fully engage both the key and the faces of the cathode.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to smelting of ores and moreparticularly to edge protectors for cathodes.

Electro-deposition is used for the refining of many minerals includingcopper. Copper is extracted from the ore using large metal sheets madeof titanium or stainless steel. These sheets are suspended in tankscontaining the copper ore, a 5%-10% solution of sulfuric acid, plusother chemicals.

In Solvent Extraction-Electro Winning (SXEW), the copper is leached outof the copper bearing ore using sulfuric acid. The acid containing thecopper drains to a collection system (pumps, pipes), ending up in tankscontaining the large metal plates.

Low voltage/high amperage direct current electricity is applied, usinglead as the anode, and the titanium/stainless steel plate as thecathode. The copper is electro-deposited (plated) on the metal to apre-determined time/thickness.

Removal of the deposited copper requires the “peeling” of the copperfrom the cathode using a “knife” arrangement. Should the copper becomedeposited around the edge of the cathode, then its removal issignificantly encumbered.

There is a significant need to provide for a mechanism which curtailsdepositing of the copper into a defined area. To this end, a variety oftechniques have been developed including the use of various edge stripsof CPVC, HDPE, Sponge/Spring combinations, etc.

All too often though, the edge strips break due to rough handling,copper getting underneath the strips, impact, age, etc. Protection suchas wax, silicone, etc., must be re-applied each cycle; these are messyand create occupational and safety hazards, increase production costs.

Another problem associated with traditional edge strips is that whenthey are exposed to the high temperatures of their working environment,the maters used in the edge strip tend to degrade or unduly expand; thiscreates gaps in the seal between the edge protector and the cathode(allowing copper to be deposited in these gaps).

Gaps in the seals are also created during the grinding process to cleanthe cathode for subsequent uses. This narrows the width of the cathode;hence, the edge protector (designed for a particular width cathode) doesnot seal as well as it previously did.

When the edge strips break or fails to form a proper seal around theedge of the cathode, removal of the deposited copper is a major problem.

It is clear there is a need to provide secure edge protectors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a edge protector in which the edge protector isconfigured to encircle an edge of a cathode.

While the present discussion relates to cathodes used in theelectrowinning process, those of ordinary skill in the art recognizethat the present invention is useful in a variety of situations where anedge of a material is to be protected from physical damage and also inthe fields where electro-deposition of metals is to be curtailed alongan edge of a plate.

The edge protector of the present invention is configured to encase anedge of the cathode. This is accomplished by sliding or slipping theedge of the cathode into an internal channel established within the edgeprotector. As such, in the preferred embodiment, once the cathode has beplaced on the cathode, a pair of lips on the edge protector addressopposing faces of the cathode and the edge of the cathode is containedwithin the edge protector.

In the preferred embodiment, the internal channel is shaped in a“triangular” arrangement. In this embodiment, the widest portion of thetriangular shape is closest or proximal to the lips with the narrowestportion distal from the lips. The narrowest portion has a width whichapproximates the width of the cathode. This arrangement provides a“gripping” or engagement relationship between the edge protector and thecathode.

In another embodiment of the invention, the triangular shape of theinternal channel is reversed; that is, the widest part of the channel isdistal from the lips.

A key is provided and is secured to the cathode. In the preferredembodiment of the invention, the key fits on both faces/sides of thecathode and is secured through holes in the cathode to each other. In analternative embodiment of the invention, the key is secured to a singleside of the cathode.

The key is configured to substantially fill a void between the cathodeand walls of the internal channel. This configuration of the key createsoptimal contact between the elements so that the edge protector isfirmly secured to the cathode.

In the preferred embodiment, where the widest part of the internalchannel is proximal to the lips, the key is shaped with its widest partproximal to the lip; in the alternative embodiment where the internalchannel is widest at a distal point from the lips, the key is widest atthe distal location from the lips.

In this manner, the key is configured to mimic the internal channel'sconfiguration.

To further increase the amount of physical contact between the edgeprotector, key, and cathode, in the preferred embodiment, the edgeprotector includes an externally accessible slot located at the far sideaway from the lips. An expansion pin is inserted into this externallyaccessible slot which acts as a “lever” arrangement on the edgeprotector and forces the edge protector to contract around the lipsregion. This provides an action which encourages the edge protector tofully engage both the key and the faces of the cathode.

The invention, together with various embodiments thereof, will be morefully explained by the accompanying drawings and the followingdescriptions thereof.

DRAWINGS IN BRIEF

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate the assembly of the preferred embodimentof the invention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate alternative embodiments of the edgeprotector.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the assembly of theinvention.

DRAWINGS IN DETAIL

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are end views and illustrate the assembly of thepreferred embodiment of the invention.

Referencing FIG. 1A, edge protector 10A is shaped with an internalchannel 19 and lips 9A. Note, internal channel 19 is wider near lips 9Athan it is at the distal location.

Further, edge protector 10A has an externally accessible channel 15Alocated at a location opposite lips 9.

Electrode 11A is equipped with hole 18 through which pin 17 from key 12Ais inserted to engage with key 13A as illustrated by arrows 16B. Ideallythere are a series of holes with associated pins for attaching key 12Aand key 13A to each other so that key 12A and key 13A are secured toopposing faces/surfaces of cathode 11A. These additional holes are notvisible from this angle.

Note, key 12A and key 13A are shaped to mimic the walls of the internalchannel 19.

Once key 12A and key 13A are fully secured to cathode 11A, edgeprotector 10A is placed over the keys 12A and 13A as illustrated byarrows 16A (typically by sliding edge protector 10A over keys 12A and13A), resulting in the state illustrated in FIG. 113.

Once edge protector 10B is placed over keys 12B and 13B, expansion pin14A is inserted into externally accessible slot 16B. The diameter ofexpansion pin 14A is greater than the width of externally accessibleslot 15B, resulting in a force illustrated by arrows 16C which create acompression force illustrated by arrows 16D. This compression force 16Dcauses edge protector 10B to fully engage keys 12B and 13B together withforcing lips 9B to engage the faces of cathode 11B.

Once fully assembled, the combination of edge protector 10C, keys 12Cand 13C, and expansion pin 14B, fully engage cathode 11C.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate alternative embodiments of the edgeprotector. In any of these edge protectors, there is an associated keywhich is shaped to substantially fill the internal channel.

Referencing FIG. 2A, edge protector 20A has internal channel 21A whichis wider at a point distal from the lips.

Another shape for the internal channel is shown in FIG. 21B in whichinternal channel 21B of edge protector 20B is shaped irregularly (nottriangular) and provides additional contact space along the walls of theinternal channel 21B.

Still another shape for the internal channel is shown in FIG. 2C inwhich a single key is used to secure the edge protector 20C. Internalchannel 21C is shaped to engage a single key on one face of the cathodewith one wall of the internal channel fully engaging a face of thecathode.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the assembly of theinvention.

In this embodiment of the invention, key 32 is located on one surface ofcathode 30. Edge protector 31 encircles key 32 and, on the opposingface, fully contacts the surface of cathode 30.

This embodiment provides for enhanced contact between the edge protectorand the cathode.

It is clear that the present invention provides for a highly improvedand secure edge protector.

1. An edge protector assembly comprising: a) an edge protectorconfigured to encircle an edge of a cathode and having, 1) a pair oflips configured to engage opposing faces of the cathode, and, 2) aninternal channel adapted to receive the edge of said cathode, A) aportion of said internal channel proximate to said pair of lips having awidth substantially greater than a width of said cathode, and, B) aportion of said channel distal to said pair of lips having a widthapproximating the width of said cathode; and, b) a key mechanismsecurable to said cathode and configured to substantially fill a voidbetween the cathode and walls of said internal channel when the edge ofsaid cathode is placed within said internal channel.
 2. The edgeprotector according to claim 1, a) wherein said edge protector furtherincludes, an externally accessible slot located on a side of said edgeprotector opposite a location of said lips; and, b) further including anexpansion pin configured to be inserted into said externally accessibleslot, a diameter of said expansion pin being greater than a width ofsaid externally accessible slot.
 3. The edge protector assemblyaccording to claim 2, wherein said key mechanism has a first componentand a second component, said first component being securable to a firstface of said cathode and said second component being securable to asecond face of said cathode.
 4. The edge protector assembly accordingclaim 3, a) wherein said first component of said key mechanism includesat least two pins configured to be inserted through holes proximate toan edge of said cathode; and, b) wherein said second component of saidkey mechanism includes means for engaging said at least two pins of saidfirst component of said key mechanism.
 5. The edge protector assemblyaccording to claim 2, wherein, when said edge protector is positionedaround an edge of said cathode and said key mechanism is containedwithin the internal channel of said edge protector, and upon insertionof said expansion pin into said externally accessible slot, the walls ofsaid internal channel engage said key mechanism.
 6. The edge protectorassembly according to claim 2, wherein said key mechanism is securableto a first face of said cathode.
 7. The edge protector assemblyaccording to claim 6, wherein, when said edge protector is applied tothe edge of said cathode, a wall of said internal channel is proximateto a second face of said cathode.
 8. The edge protector assemblyaccording to claim 7, wherein, when said edge protector is positionedaround an edge of said cathode and said key mechanism is containedwithin said internal channel of said edge protector, and upon insertionof said expansion pin into said externally accessible slot, one of saidwalls of said internal channel engages said key mechanism.
 9. An edgeprotector combination for a cathode having a first face and a secondface, said combination comprising: a) an edge protector configured toencircle an edge of the cathode and engage opposing faces of saidcathode with a pair of lips, said edge protector further having aninternal channel therein and wherein, 1) a first portion of saidinternal channel has a width substantially greater than a width of saidcathode, and, 2) a second portion of said internal channel has a widthapproximating the width of said cathode; and, b) a key mechanismsecurable to said cathode and configured to substantially fill a voidbetween the cathode and walls of said internal channel when said edgeprotector is placed enclose the edge of said cathode.
 10. The edgeprotector according to claim 9, a) wherein said first portion of saidinternal channel is distal from said lips; and b) wherein said secondportion of said internal channel is proximal to said lips.
 11. The edgeprotector according to claim 9, a) wherein said first portion of saidinternal channel is proximal to said lips; and b) wherein said secondportion of said internal channel is distal from said lips.
 12. Thecombination according to claim 11, a) wherein said edge protectorfurther includes, an externally accessible slot located on a side ofsaid edge protector; and, b) further including an expansion pinconfigured to be inserted into said externally accessible slot, adiameter of said expansion pin being greater than a width of saidexternally accessible slot.
 13. The combination according to claim 12,wherein, when said edge protector is positioned around an edge of saidcathode and said key mechanism is contained within said internal channelof said edge protector, and upon insertion of said expansion pin intosaid externally accessible slot, the walls of said internal channelengage said key mechanism.
 14. The combination according to claim 13,wherein said key mechanism has a first component and a second component,said first component being securable to the first face of said cathodeand said second component being securable to the second face of saidcathode.
 15. The combination according to claim 13, wherein said keymechanism is securable to the first face of said cathode.
 16. An edgeprotector assembly comprising: a) an edge protector configured toencircle an edge of a cathode and having, 1) lips configured to engageopposing surfaces of the cathode, and, 2) an internal channel configuredto receive the edge of the cathode, A) a portion of said channel havinga width substantially greater than a width of said cathode, and, B) aportion of said channel having a width approximating the width of saidcathode, and, 3) an externally accessible slot located on a side of saidedge protector opposite a location of said lips; b) a key mechanismsecurable to said cathode and configured to substantially fill a voidbetween the cathode and walls of said internal channel when an edge ofsaid cathode is placed within said internal channel; and, c) anexpansion pin configured to be inserted into said externally accessibleslot, a diameter of said expansion pin being greater than a width ofsaid externally accessible slot.
 17. The edge protector assemblyaccording to claim 16 wherein, when said edge protector is positionedaround an edge of said cathode and said key mechanism is containedwithin said internal channel of said edge protector, and upon insertionof said expansion pin into said externally accessible slot, the walls ofsaid internal channel engage said key mechanism.
 18. The edge protectoraccording to claim 17, a) wherein said first portion of said internalchannel is distal from said lips; and b) wherein said second portion ofsaid internal channel is proximal to said lips.
 19. The edge protectoraccording to claim 17, a) wherein said first portion of said internalchannel is proximal to said lips; and b) wherein said second portion ofsaid internal channel is distal from said lips.